Charlie Is Two…..The Joys of Grandmothering

Can not believe my grand-daughter turns two tomorrow! She is such a delight, although she seems to have magically discovered the word, NO, right on schedule. But even her no’s are music to my ears.

I had decided simply to reprint my blog from last February in praise of my Daughter-in-Law, and I still shall. To this day it remains my most read piece, either a tribute to my writing or unlikelihood of such high praise from a Mother-in-Law. I will never know which.

I think we all forget how much babies and toddlers actually can learn in the space of one or two years. It is mind-boggling. Not only can she walk and talk, but she actually makes sense, no baby talk and very definite in her likes and dislikes. Of course, she likes everything about her Nana, but why shouldn’t she, Nana never saysNO, I never have to.

She has to continued to flourish, with time and attention from her parents. She is the poster child for starting a family when you have tasted success and you realize there is no commitment more important than this new life entrusted to you.

A few weeks ago, we spent two hours in my car, PLAYING,not moving just steering, using the windshield wipers, changing the radio stations, waving out the window at the mailman, adjusting the mirrors, climbing from the back to the front seat and back again. We had a twenty-minute discussion on why there was no ignition key place (okay, she’s smart but, no she did not use the word ignition). I am still finding buttons she pushed that have to be returned to their original positions, some of which I didn’t know I had. “The little children shall lead us.”

Why did I not have this much patience with my own children? How many great moments did I fail to notice because I was busy raising them? Would I ever have spent two hours just laughing, in a car going nowhere, with them? I guess the answer is no, and for that I am sorry but I will enjoy every minute with this little girl, so she can look back and remember that her Nana had nothing better to do then play with her.

All grandchildren are beautiful, but yours is especially lovely. I too wish I could have savored more of the moments with my own daughters, but at 23 and 25, it’s hard not to take every whine and tantrum personally. Continue to enjoy those moments.